Shield device with pivotable handle and method of use

Abstract

A shield device helps prevent selected surface areas from being painted by a paint material. The shield device includes a sheet member; and a handle member pivotable in a plane defined by the sheet member. The shield device is arranged between a folded configuration where the handle member is positioned generally parallel to an attachment edge of the sheet member, and an unfolded configuration, and an unfolded position.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A shield device for protecting selected surface areas from being painted by a paint material, comprising:
 a sheet member having a distal edge and an attachment edge parallel to each other, the sheet member configured to protect selected surface areas from being painted by paint material; 
 a handle member comprising a handle body, the handle member being pivotable in a plane defined by the sheet member, the handle member further comprising a first clamping member, a second clamping member and a slot defined between the first and second clamping members; 
 an attachment point about which the handle member is pivotable relative to the sheet member; 
 a fastener that attaches the first clamping member of the handle member to the attachment edge of the sheet member at the attachment point; and 
 a reinforcement element attached to the attachment edge of the sheet member, 
 wherein the slot is sized to receive a thickness of the reinforcement element, 
 wherein the handle member is pivotable about the attachment point between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, and 
 wherein the second clamping member of the handle member has a maximum width smaller than a width of the first clamping member such that the handle member is positioned generally parallel to and in contact with the reinforcement element, when the handle member is in the folded configuration, without removing the fastener to detach the first clamping member of the handle member from the reinforcement element and the sheet member. 
 
     
     
       2. The shield device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle member comprises a connection element that connects the handle member to the sheet member and the handle body extending between the connection element and a free end of the handle member, the connection element including the first clamping member, the second clamping member and the slot defined between the first and second clamping members. 
     
     
       3. The shield device of  claim 2 , wherein an interference fit is formed between the connection element and the reinforcement element. 
     
     
       4. The shield device of  claim 2 , wherein an opening is defined in the first clamping member, and the second clamping member has a contour corresponding to the contour of the opening in the first clamping member. 
     
     
       5. The shield device of  claim 2 , wherein the first clamping member includes a plurality of apertures, each of the apertures being alignable with corresponding apertures defined in the attachment edge of the sheet member and the reinforcement element, thereby allowing the handle member to be positioned at a perpendicular position and a non-perpendicular position relative to the sheet member. 
     
     
       6. The shield device of  claim 2 , wherein the second clamping member has a constant width that is smaller than a constant width of the handle body. 
     
     
       7. The shield device of  claim 2 , wherein the second clamping member has a constant width that is smaller than a width of a distal end of the handle body. 
     
     
       8. The shield device of  claim 2 , wherein the second clamping member has a maximum width that is smaller than a constant width of the handle body. 
     
     
       9. The shield device of  claim 1 , wherein a height of the second clamping member is equal or greater than ⅓ of a height of the reinforcement element.